A number of programs by the museum staff will be made available to schools, libraries and community groups both during school or as enrichment programs after school. The programs will focus on a broad range of maritime topics as they relate to Florida, the country, and the world. The activities serve many Sunshine State Standards and include pre and post activity materials. Several also teach Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. All outreach programs involve object-based learning techniques as established through the educational philosophy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Early Enrichment Center. Programs can easily be designed and formatted to meet the needs of ESE students, older students and students with other educational challenges. Costs are dependent on requested programs. Please contact Moillie Malloy at (904) 829-0745 x 220 for more information.

Visit our page for K-12 Materials and Standards pre and post program materials and documents of Sunshine State Sunshine Standards covered during the program.

Signifies programs that focus on STEM education

Why do we have lighthouses?

Students discover the history of their local harbor, the science and technology behind navigation, and why lighthouses have play such an integral role in in the growth of our nation.

The Nature of Our Maritime History

Students learn about the natural surroundings of our local harbor. They learn how people have interacted with this maritime environment throughout the years and learn how they can take an active role in the stewardship of this essential ecology.

First Light

Students learn how light travels, reflects and refracts as well as gain an understanding of the physics and engineering behind the use of the first order Fresnel lens atop the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Hands-on activities and experiments provide an opportunity for students to learn about the science of light.

The Search for Shipwrecks

Students will learn how archaeologists use science and math to explore beneath the waves to search for historic shipwrecks. From archival research to magnetometers deployed with satellite navigation, students will learn how science and math help archaeologists make discoveries in the marine environment. For example, they will discover how scientific visualization through the use of computers helps archaeologists use historic maps, ancient documents, and geological evidence of coastline change to find shipwrecks!

Shipwreck CSI

Children experience what it is like to be an underwater archaeologist by interacting with a practicing archaeologist from Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program (LAMP). They learn how archaeologists, much like crime scene investigators, use math and forensic science to investigate a sunken shipwreck site and reconstruct events and activities from the past. They learn the challenges of conducting science at sea and how data is recorded and collected in order to provide clues for these scuba diving detectives. They will also learn about the most recent discoveries and unsolved mysteries our research team is currently working on.

The Science of Conservation

Not all shipwreck discoveries are made underwater! Children will learn how science and math in the laboratory are an integral part of how we study and preserve our maritime heritage, from cleaning cannons to analyzing artifacts. Maritime Archaeological conservators at the museum’s Archaeological Conservation Laboratory have shaped this program to teach

kids that science through the use of the scientific method, physical chemistry, and math can be fun!

Traveling Sea Chest

A series of 5, 2-hour maritime history activities for 3rd-5th grade students contained in a sea chest. The activities serve many Sunshine State Standards and include teaching materials and follow-up activities. The activities are:

Ships and Sailing
A Sailor's Life
Shipwreck Passage (a game)
Discovery and Documentation
Preservation and the Museum

Upon request, museum staff can provide outreach program(s) to augment Traveling Sea Chest activities.

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